Volunteers boost Appalachian Trail preservation
The enthusiastic group of volunteers enjoyed great weather during the cleanup. Donated photo
The Carolina Mountain Club Remote Overnight Crew (ROC) convened near the Walnut Mountain shelter on the Appalachian Trail for a trail enhancement event. The outing drew 19 volunteers, who enjoyed splendid weather while working on various trail improvements.
Their efforts were focused on preventing trail creep, installing water diversions, removing invasive roots, and constructing new steps.
This crew included seven individuals new to the Carolina Mountain Club (CMC) trail maintenance, with several attending their first ROC event. The volunteers received support from Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) section maintainers Anne Sentz and Jake Stowe, underscoring the collaborative nature of these preservation activities.
The CMC encourages individuals with no previous experience to join these trail maintenance efforts, making it accessible to anyone interested in contributing to the preservation of our regional hiking trails. All are welcome.
Upcoming volunteer opportunities include gatherings in the Shining Rock Wilderness from July 20-21 and again on the Appalachian Trail near Walnut Mountain shelter from Oct. 19-20. Interested participants are advised to sign up quickly, as each weekend is capped at 25 attendees to ensure a productive and manageable group size.
For more details and to register for a future trail maintenance weekend, please visit the CMC’s events page at cmc100th.org/events. These events play a crucial role in maintaining the natural beauty and functionality of our hiking trails and offer a fulfilling opportunity for teamwork and engagement in the great outdoors.
